Following is a statement by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan on a tentative agreement regarding a new contract between the District of Columbia Public Schools and the Washington Teachers Union.

"I want to congratulate the D.C. Public Schools and the Washington Teachers Union upon reaching a tentative agreement in their contract negotiations. This is an agreement that puts D.C. schoolchildren first and treats teachers with the respect they deserve. The administration and the union are clearly taking teaching and learning very seriously. Their ability to work together through some very difficult issues and in these trying economic times is a credit to both parties."